We have discussed before that some XM177E1 came with a full fence lower although most had the partial fence lower. I knew a LIFE photo, but today I found out more about it.

https://www.life.com/history/paratroopers-in-vietnam-make-a-historic-leap/

It is showing Manuel Moya of a US Army Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) of the 173rd Airborne as he sat, in camouflage, in a helicopter, Vietnam, February 1967, as quotation reads. Pictures were taken by famous photographer Co Rentmeester, during Operation Junction City.

Dated February 1967, his carbine is most likely not modified.

There are other interesting pictures. His brother in arms, Sgt. Reed Cundiff, has an interesting looking handguard on his M16. First I thought it might be a M203 handguard, but it looks like something is taped on top of the triangular handguard.

Looks like cleaning rod sections are taped to the hand guards.
Great pics, thanks for posting.

Cool pictures of history.

Cool pics thanks for posting


That first one is a cleaning rod taped to the forend

Is the XM177/E1 also the timeframe that Colt started using the darker "black" anodizing rather than the gray that was used on the 601, 604, 607, etc?

Those pics make it look like the XM177E1 he has is a black rather than gray.